The setting sun cast long shadows across the coast, stretching out the lighthouse's silhouette.
The dock on Eagle's Nest was nearing completion, though a thousand workers were still bustling about.
Among them was Solada, a former member of the Blue Skins clan. He carried a freshly cut stone block up the lighthouse's spiraling steps, his muscles tense beneath his sun-bronzed skin as the salty sea breeze cooled the sweat on his back.
The lighthouse's peak stood nearly two hundred feet above ground. Transporting stones to this height was no task for the faint-hearted. A mere glance down could make most men's legs turn to jelly, let alone with the weight of a stone on their backs.
Accidents had already happened; some workers had fallen to their deaths.
To address this, their wise and merciful lord had ordered Vito, the lead architect, to install safety nets around the lighthouse. This way, a fall wouldn't mean certain death—though a stone dropping from above still posed a deadly risk.
Because of the dangers involved, those working on this task were paid double.
Solada reached the top, set the stone down along the outer wall, and descended. He was ready to start the climb again when the foreman announced the end of the shift.
Though Solada still had energy left, he couldn't work overtime. The lord had decreed that no one could work more than ten hours a day. So, he packed up his tools, logged his hours with the steward, and headed off to collect his food ration.
"Solada, tonight let's have a proper meal!" called a familiar voice.
Solada turned to see his friend Rick, grinning as he slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Where to?"
"The Eagle Tavern."
Solada knew the Eagle Tavern—it was the most luxurious tavern on the estate. He'd passed by it a few times but had never dared to enter. His daily meals came from the free food distributed at the worksite, which, though bland, was enough to fill his belly. Occasionally, he'd hunt small game to satisfy his craving for something fresh.
The tavern's food was said to be far better, but it came at a steep price, one only the lord's retainers and knights could afford.
Solada had accumulated a fair amount of work credits, enough for a meal there if they were paid out. But since the credits wouldn't be converted to coins for another ten days, he had no way to cover the expense.
"How can you afford it?" he asked Rick. "Didn't Lord Caesar say we'd have to wait ten days before work credits can be exchanged?"
Rick chuckled mysteriously. "Just follow me."
Curiosity piqued, Solada trailed after Rick down to the marketplace.
The marketplace lay near the castle, by the beach, its streets lined with small red-stone buildings—shops, inns, brothels, blacksmiths—all bustling with life.
Their destination, the Eagle Tavern, sat at the street's eastern end, where a double-headed eagle banner flapped above its door.
Solada had heard that the tavern's owner had some close connection to the lord, giving them the privilege to display the Caesar family's crest.
As they stepped inside, the thick wooden door swung shut, and the noise of the bustling tavern filled the air, overwhelming Solada's senses.
Rick guided him to a table. The rich scent of roasted meat and alcohol made their mouths water.
They sat down, and a barmaid approached with a welcoming smile. "What can I get you?"
Rick cleared his throat, trying to look as though he was a regular. "Two venison platters, four roasted sweet potatoes, a side of lettuce, and a small bottle of brandy."
"Of course. That'll be thirty-three copper coins. How would you like to pay?"
Solada's eyes widened—that was more than half a month's wages. And that was just for him. For an average worker, a meal like this would cost a full month's pay.
As he wondered how his friend could afford it, he heard Rick say, "I'll use work credits."
The barmaid didn't bat an eye. "Certainly. If you'll come with me, an assistant steward will help you deduct the credits."
Rick left with the barmaid, leaving Solada sitting in awe.
Work credits could be used for meals?
It was as if he'd stumbled upon an entirely new world.
When Rick returned and their food arrived, he urged his friend to dig in. They clinked glasses, savoring the smooth, fiery brandy.
"Only the lords and gentry usually come here, but today, we get to live like them," Rick said, grinning.
Hearing the word "gentry," Solada unconsciously sat up straighter, eager to live up to the term.
"I had no idea work credits could be used here."
"Not just here." Rick downed his glass, laughing as he explained. "Any store on this street will take work credits. Of course, the small stalls outside don't."
"Really?" Solada thought of the brothel where beautiful women were rumored to work. His face flushed, and he quickly downed another glass to hide it.
The warm, sweet burn of the brandy lingered in his throat, and he looked at Rick sheepishly. "This meal must've cost you a fortune…"
"Don't worry about it." Rick waved his hand dismissively, refilling their glasses.
Once they'd clinked glasses and drunk again, Rick cleared his throat. "Actually, I invited you out because I need a favor."
"Name it." After such a lavish treat, Solada didn't have the heart to refuse.
Rick rubbed his hands together, looking a bit embarrassed. "Could I borrow some work credits?"
"You mean…credits? Sure. How much?"
"How much can you lend?"
Solada hesitated, setting down his glass. "Rick, what do you need that many credits for?"
"Nothing shady, I promise." Rick laughed, trying to reassure him. "I just want to buy a house."
"A house?" Solada was baffled. "Don't you already have a place?"
"That's only temporary. I heard that if we stop working for the lord, we'll have to start paying rent. Plus, eight of us crammed into one room is unbearable. I want a place of my own."
"A place of your own?"
"Yes. Lord Caesar has begun selling property on the estate, and credits can be used to buy it."
"How much do they cost?"
"It varies. The houses closer to the castle are more expensive. I found one by the welfare center, near enough to visit my grandmother, but it costs thirty silver stags or an equivalent in credits."
"Thirty silver stags?" Solada gasped. "Even if I lend you all my credits, it wouldn't be enough."
"No worries. The lord will loan me the rest."
"He'll loan you money?" Solada looked incredulous.
"Absolutely." Rick lifted his chin proudly. "Our kind-hearted lord said we could make a down payment. For the house I want, I only need nine silver stags up front. He'll lend us the rest, and we can pay him back with our earnings over time."
"Incredible," Solada muttered. "What a generous lord."
"Praise Lord Caesar!" Rick made the flame-heart gesture of his newfound faith in R'hllor.
"So, will you help me out?" he asked. "When it's your turn to buy a house, I'll lend you credits too."
"All right." Having just enjoyed an expensive meal at Rick's expense, Solada couldn't refuse. "I can lend you five hundred credits."
"Perfect!" Rick cheered, refilling Solada's glass again.
After their meal, Rick pocketed the leftover brandy, and they hurried to view the house he'd set his heart on.
But when they arrived, they received disappointing news.
"It's sold out?" Rick stared in shock at the sales clerk.
"Yes, Mr. Rick, I'm sorry. You just missed it."
"But…didn't the sales just start?"
"Yes, but demand was high. Space is limited in the Eagle's Nest valley, so houses sell fast. If you're still interested, you'll have to choose one outside the valley."
"Outside the valley?" Rick frowned. "I don't want to live that far away! Isn't there anything left in the valley?"
"Well, there are a few…but…"
"But what?"
"They're a bit pricier."
"What's the cheapest one left?" Rick asked.
The clerk consulted a scroll. "Five gold dragons."
Rick's face fell. At his current earnings, he'd never afford such a house.
Solada patted his shoulder. "Maybe you should consider a house outside the valley."
The clerk nodded in agreement. "If you're serious about buying, I recommend deciding soon, or even those will be gone, and you'll have to look further afield."
Rick mulled it over before finally nodding. "Fine. I'll take the house closest to the valley. How much?"
"Twenty-five silver stags."
"And once I make the down payment, it's mine?"
"Yes, as long as you keep up the payments."
"Good. I'll need to see it first."
"Of course, right this way."
…
"Sam, where did you get this idea?" Margaery asked as they watched the frenzy of property sales sweeping through the estate, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
"It came to me in a dream." Samwell shrugged.
"Really?" Margaery shot him a doubtful look. "This plan is brilliant, but…I can't help feeling something might go wrong."
"Like what?"
"I'm not sure," she admitted, frowning. "I just feel a little uneasy... Sam, how sure are you?"
Samwell laughed. "Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with this system. As far as I know, there's already some bankers in Oldtown who are playing similar tricks on maritime trade. It's just a game of money. The key is the manpower and material resources it can mobilize."
"Most importantly is that it can solve the problem of redeeming work points on Eagle's Nest."
"You're right."
Margaery frowned and said, "Now that you don't need money anymore, are you still willing to go back to Highgarden with me?"
"Yes, of course. And who said I don't need money?" Samwell kissed Margaret's cheek lightly. "We will leave tomorrow."
"Okay!" Margaret smiled.
(End of this chapter)